If I Find a Small Amount of Blood in My Semen When Should I Check Again

Blood in Semen (Hematospermia)

Medically Reviewed past Sabrina Felson, MD on Nov 01, 2021

Seeing blood in the semen tin can brand a man broken-hearted. Fortunately, it doesn't usually signal a major medical problem. For men younger than xl with no related symptoms and no gamble factors for underlying medical weather, blood in semen ofttimes disappears on its own.

But for men 40 and over, chances are higher that blood in the semen needs evaluation and treatment. This is particularly true for men who:

• Have repeated episodes of claret in the semen
• Take related symptoms while urinating or ejaculating
• Are at take chances for cancer, a bleeding disorder, or other conditions

Blood in the semen is called hematospermia or hemospermia. When men ejaculate, they typically don't examine their semen looking for blood. And then information technology'due south non known how mutual the condition is.

Causes of Claret in the Semen

Blood in the semen tin can come from several unlike sources:

Infection and inflammation. This is the most common cause of blood in the semen. Blood tin can come up from an infection or inflammation, in any of the glands, tubes, or ducts that produce and move semen from the body. These include:

• Prostate (the gland that produces the fluid part of semen)
• Urethra (the tube that carries urine and semen from the penis)
• Epididymis and vas deferens (tiny tube-like structures where sperm mature earlier ejaculation)
• Seminal vesicles (which add more fluid to the semen)

It tin also come up from an STI (sexually transmitted infection) such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, or from another viral or bacterial infection. Infection and inflammation are the culprits behind almost four out of every ten cases of blood in the semen.

Trauma or a medical procedure. Claret in the semen is common afterwards medical procedures. For instance, equally many as four out of v men may temporarily have blood in their semen post-obit a prostate biopsy.

Procedures done as treatment for urinary issues can too cause mild trauma that leads to temporary bleeding. This ordinarily disappears within several weeks after the procedure. Radiation therapy, vasectomy, and injections for hemorrhoids tin can likewise cause claret. Concrete trauma to the sex organs afterward pelvic fracture, injury to the testicles, excessively rigorous sexual activity or masturbation, or other injury can cause claret in the semen.

Obstacle. Any of the tiny tubes or ducts in the reproductive tract tin can be blocked. This tin can cause blood vessels to break and release minor amounts of blood. The status called BPH, which causes the prostate to get enlarged and pinch the urethra, is also linked to blood in semen.

Tumors and Polyps. One review of over 900 patients with blood in semen found simply iii.five% actually had a tumor. Nigh of these tumors were in the prostate. Blood in semen, though, tin exist linked to cancer of the testicles, float, prostate, and other reproductive and urinary tract organs. Men -- especially older men -- with take a chance factors for cancer should be evaluated if they have blood in their semen. Untreated cancer is a life-threatening disease.

Polyps in the reproductive tract, which are benign growths that don't crusade whatsoever medical problem, tin besides crusade claret in semen.

Blood vessel problems. All of the frail structures involved in ejaculation, from the prostate to the tiny tubes that carry sperm, contain claret vessels. These can exist damaged resulting in blood in the semen.

Other medical weather condition. Markedly elevated high blood pressure, HIV, liver disease, leukemia, and other medical conditions are also associated with blood in semen.

As many as 15% of cases of blood in semen tin't exist traced to a known cause. Many of these cases are likewise self-limiting. That ways that the blood in the semen goes away by itself without medical treatment.

Related Symptoms

When looking for an underlying crusade of blood in the semen, the medico will ask near any related symptoms, including:

• Claret in the urine (chosen hematuria)
• Hot, called-for urination or other symptoms of painful urination
• Difficulty emptying your bladder completely
• A painful float that feels distended
• Painful ejaculation
• Bloated or painful areas on the sex organs or obvious scrapes from injury
• Penis discharge or other signs of an STD
• Fever, racing pulse, and higher-than-normal claret pressure

Blood in Semen: Tests and Evaluation

To diagnose blood in the semen the dr. will take a complete medical history. That will include a history of whatsoever recent sexual activity. The doctor will also perform a physical exam. This will include examining the genitals for lumps or swelling and a digital rectal test to bank check the prostate for swelling, tenderness, and other symptoms. The doctor may also ask for the following tests:

• Urinalysis or urine culture to place infection or other abnormalities.
• STD testing if a sexually transmitted disease is suspected.
• The "rubber test" if in that location'southward a possibility that blood in the semen is actually coming from a sexual partner'south menstrual cycle. The human being will be told to wearable a condom and so examine the "protected" semen for blood.
• PSA testing, to test for prostate cancer by measuring a substance chosen prostate-specific antigen in the blood.
• Other urological tests such every bit cystoscopy, ultrasound, CT, and MRI to farther evaluate the patient.

Treatment for Blood in Semen

Treatments target the known cause:

• Antibiotics are used for infections.
• An anti-inflammatory medication may exist prescribed for some types of inflammation.
• If an STD is the culprit, the md will care for that status.
• When blood in semen stems from a contempo urology procedure, such as a prostate biopsy, it normally disappears by itself in a matter of weeks.

In younger men, blood in the semen that happens simply once or twice without whatsoever additional symptoms or history of certain medical conditions can disappear on its own without treatment.

If y'all have repeated episodes of claret in the semen along with painful urinary or ejaculatory symptoms, the doctor may refer you to a urologist.

If the medico suspects prostate cancer, or another form of cancer, the dr. may ask for a prostate biopsy to evaluate the tissue for cancer. The incidence of prostate cancer is low in younger men -- simply 0.six% to 0.5% of cases occur in men younger than 45. But for men of any age with gamble factors for cancer, testing that rules out prostate cancer may be the most reassuring role of handling for claret in semen.

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Source: https://www.webmd.com/men/guide/blood-in-semen-hematospermia-causes-symptoms-tests-treatments

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